UAE Elected Near East Representative at Codex

In a historic achievement, the United Arab Emirates has been elected as the Geographic Representative for the Near East at the Codex Alimentarius Commission for the 2026–2028 term. The election was held during the 48th session of the Commission in Rome.

The UAE was represented by Her Excellency Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi, Deputy Director-General for Regulatory and Administrative Affairs at the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) and Chair of the UAE National Codex Committee.

This election reflects strong international confidence in the UAE’s leadership in food safety, food standards, and global food security systems. It also strengthens the UAE’s role in international organisations related to agriculture and food security, giving the country a greater voice in shaping global food policies.

Supports UAE National Food Security Strategy 2051

The appointment directly supports the goals of the UAE National Food Security Strategy 2051. It also gives the UAE a seat on the Codex Executive Committee, which plays an important role in setting strategic directions, developing long-term plans, and managing international food standard programmes.

Through this position, the UAE will ensure that the dietary patterns, production systems, economic priorities, and public health needs of the Near East region are properly represented in global food standards.

Leadership of Her Excellency Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi

Her Excellency Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi has more than 25 years of experience in administrative and scientific government work. She played a key role in establishing Abu Dhabi’s food control system, helping the emirate achieve leading positions in regional and global food safety rankings.

She also chairs the UAE National Codex Committee, which was established under the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. The committee includes representatives from government entities, the private sector, universities, and research centres. It coordinates the UAE’s national position in Codex meetings and prepares studies and proposals to support international food standards aligned with the country’s priorities.

Strengthening Global Food Policy Role

Speaking on the achievement, Her Excellency said that the UAE’s selection reflects the country’s advanced progress in food security and food safety. She noted that this appointment strengthens international trust in the UAE’s regulatory and scientific capabilities and highlights its leadership role within global organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

She explained that the victory is the result of the UAE’s strong international reputation, high credibility in global forums, leading rankings in food security indices, and strong technical expertise in food safety, quality, and standardisation. She also highlighted the country’s advanced food control systems, risk analysis capabilities, and active participation in various Codex committees.

Commitment to Regional and Global Cooperation

Her Excellency emphasised that this position comes with responsibility. The UAE will continue to work closely with member states to improve food safety and develop international standards that reflect regional needs.

The appointment also opens new opportunities for regional and international cooperation. It gives the UAE a stronger platform to lead global discussions on important food security and food safety issues.

She affirmed that the UAE will continue working with international partners to develop innovative standards that support sustainable agricultural development and strengthen the country’s position as a global hub for food innovation.

This achievement not only marks a national milestone but also enhances the competitiveness of UAE products in global markets and reinforces the country’s commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring sustainable food systems worldwide.